THE carved figure of an Anglo-Saxon angel unearthed during excavations at Lichfield Cathedral is being given a public airing for the first time in its 1,300-year-old history today.

THE carved figure of an Anglo-Saxon angel unearthed during excavations at Lichfield Cathedral is being given a public airing for the first time in its 1,300-year-old history today.

The stone sculpture, which has been dubbed the Lichfield Angel and is hailed as "the very foundation of English art", was being revealed today.

The 63cm-high figure was discovered in the remains of an Anglo-Saxon church built to house the grave of St Chad, the first Bishop of Lichfield, and discovered by archaeologists beneath the nave. The exact location of this building had remained a mystery until it was unearthed by experts during this most recent dig.

Archaeologists had been asked to excavate the nave ahead of the installation of a motorised platform to replace portable staging used for concerts. Experts believe the Lichfield Angel formed part of the original shrine of St Chad, which was built around 700AD.